The province of Ontario will provide up to CA$1 billion (US$804 million) to build a new light-rail transit (LRT) line in Hamilton as part of the largest infrastructure investment in Ontario’s history.
Parsons appointed Jannet M. Walker as vice president and deputy eastern sector manager for the corporation’s Rail and Transit Systems Division. Based in Jacksonville, Fla., her primary focus will be growing the rail and transit business in the eastern United States, providing leadership in overall operations and sector management.
California’s Foothill Gold Line Construction Authority held a community open house and dedication for the Foothill Gold Line Operations Campus.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has issued an Emergency Order that will assist in controlling passenger train speeds at certain locations on the Northeast Corridor (NEC). FRA also intends to take additional actions in the coming days to address potential speed issues on all other passenger corridors.
Safety improvements, including the installation of vehicular traffic gates and warning lights, have been completed at a private railroad crossing in the Springdale neighborhood of Stamford where there have been several accidents in recent years involving vehicles striking trains.
Minnesota’s Metropolitan Council‘s Southwest Project Office is analyzing options for cutting $341 million in costs for the Green Line light-rail extension from Minneapolis to Eden Prairie.
U.S. Rep. John Culberson (R-TX-7) and Houston Metro Board Chairman Gilbert Garcia made an agreement, which they say paves the way for future transportation solutions to address the growing needs of the region.
The Chicago Transportation Authority (CTA) is moving forward with its Red and Purple Modernization Program (RPM), a transformational, multi-phase program to completely rebuild the northern sections of the Red and Purple lines and provide CTA with the ability to add trains to meet the demands of growing ridership on its busiest rail line.
The House of Representatives passed H.R. 2353, a short-term authorization extension that will provide surface transportation funding through July 31, 2015.
The Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2015, sponsored by House Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and House Ways and Means Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI), passed by a vote of 387 – 35 – 1. This extension comes after several weeks of failed negotiations to find approximately $11 billion to fund the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) until the end of the calendar year. House and Senate leaders were unable to reach an agreement on offsets for a bill that would extend the programs through the end of the year, which was intended to give Congress time to form a larger tax reform package to pay for a multi-year surface transportation bill.
In a statement, American Public Transportation Association President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Melaniphy said, “We appreciate the U.S. House of Representatives for passing an extension of the federal program for surface transportation funding. However, this extension does not increase funding for public transportation, roads, bridges and rails, it merely maintains the current funding levels of the program until the end of July. It also avoids the May 31 deadline when the program was set to expire.
“It is our understanding that it is likely this action by the House will lead to an additional extension of the federal program which could last until the end of the year. Congressional leaders note that this extension is intended to provide time to secure funding for a long-term bill.
“APTA strongly believes that Congress should expedite its efforts and find a solution that provides for long-term investment in our public transportation, road and rail network. It is crucial that Congress act with urgency to address the nation’s crumbling infrastructure.
“Congress must get focused and use these two months to develop realistic and viable options for a long-term solution to funding the nation’s transportation system.”
Amtrak resumed full Northeast Corridor (NEC) operations May 18, following a derailment on May 12 in Philadelphia, Pa. Additionally, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) has instructed Amtrak to immediately take several actions to improve safety along the NEC.
Oregon Gov. Kate Brown and other officials and project partners took the first ride on the TriMet Portland-Milwaukie Light Rail Transit Project, the future MAX Orange Line, on May 15.
An estimated 40,000 Long Island Rail Road (LIRR) customers face significant delays over the weekend of Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17 when the railroad suspends train service between Hicksville and Mineola during demolition of the Ellison Ave. Bridge in Westbury.
The Virginia Beach City Council has adopted a budget for the coming year that includes $20 million for a Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) light-rail extension. The total budget will increase 2.2 percent – roughly the rate of inflation.
Beginning May 23, 2015, there will be more transit options as two new light-rail lines begin serving the Houston, Texas community. The Green Line (East End Line) travels along Harrisburg through the historic East End and the Purple Line (Southeast Line) travels through one of Houston’s oldest African-American neighborhoods.
All Aboard Florida has selected Archer Western to improve rail infrastructure on the corridor for its new passenger-rail service scheduled for early 2017.
Tutor Perini Corporation’s specialty contracting subsidiary, Five Star Electric, has been awarded two contracts collectively valued at approximately $123 million.
Stakeholders gathered at the Santa Ana Regional Transportation Center in California on Monday afternoon to mark a number milestones toward the construction of Orange County’s first modern streetcar.
Operational efficiency and capacity along the Los Angeles-San Diego-San Luis Obispo (LOSSAN) rail corridor has improved with the opening of 5.2 miles of new double track at two locations along the 351-mile corridor.
California’s Sacramento Regional Transit District (SACRT) has activated high voltage wires above the light-rail tracks along the Blue Line to Cosumnes River College (CRC) light-rail extension currently under construction.
Alaska Gov. Bill Walker signed a bill into law on Wednesday that will allow the Alaska Railroad Corporation (ARRC) to issue bonds in order to fund implementation of Positive Train Control (PTC).